Pope Leo Casts Mail Ballot

Pope Leo XIV has cast a vote in the Illinois midterm elections. The Vatican confirmed on Friday that the pontiff submitted his mail-in ballot in Chicago.

The Holy See Press Office stated that the pope exercised his right to vote as a United States citizen. The statement emphasized his belief in the duty of citizens to participate in democratic processes.

Records from the Will County clerk’s office show the pope requested his ballot on Oct. 3. Kim Fladhammer, the office’s chief of staff, confirmed that Robert Francis Prevost is on the list of individuals who requested a mail ballot for the upcoming election.

The pope’s voting history in Illinois spans more than a decade. He voted in the 2008 and 2010 Democratic primaries as well as the 2012, 2014, and 2016 Republican primaries. He also participated in the general elections in 2012, 2014, 2018, and 2024. He did not vote in Illinois’ March primary.

Illinois law allows voters to choose their party affiliation for each primary. The Illinois State Board of Elections noted that registered voters can vote by mail. U.S. citizens living overseas hold this right under the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act.

The Vatican statement noted that the pope has voted whenever eligible, including during his time in Peru. By casting this ballot, he weighed in on the U.S. Senate race to replace Sen. Dick Durbin and Gov. JB Pritzker’s reelection bid. He also voted in Will County judicial and county races.

Gov. JB Pritzker acknowledged the vote on social media on Thursday. He wrote that if the Pope can vote from Vatican City, other citizens can do the same.